Bandage winding machine



March F. H. WASHBURN, JR 2,194,962

BANDAGE WINDING momma Filed July' 29, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 21 J24 J21x9 25 29 March 26, 1940. F. H. WASHBURN, JR

BANDAGE WINDING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 dam P March26, 1940. F. H. WASHBURN, JR 2,194,962

BANDAGE WINDING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet s flankIhwkburn, Jr

aM/AW Mar- 0w Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES BANDAGE' WINDINGMACHINE Frank H. Washburn, Jr., Worcester, Mass. Application July 29,1938, Serial No. 221,924

17 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for winding surgical bandages and forsimultaneously loading the bandage fabric, usually crinoline, with asubstantial application of plaster of Paris powder or other finelydivided material.

It is the general object of my invention to provide an improved windingmachine for suchpurposes, and particularly to provide a machine in whichthe. travel of the fabric and of the applied powder is continuouslydownward.

Other features of my invention relate to the provision of improvedfeeding and agitating devices for the powder, to the provision ofimproved means for controlling the winding speed,

' to the provision of improved electrical operating mechanism, and tothe provision of improved means for measuring the bandage and stoppingthe machine at a predetermined length.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of partswhich will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed I outin the appended claims.

. A preferredform of the-invention is shown in the drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved machine;

Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevations thereof, looking in the directions ofthe arrows 2 and 3 in Fig. 1 respectively;

along taken along the lines 9 9 and Ill-l0 in Fig. 8 respectively; I

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are detail sectional plan views, taken along thelines lll I, I2-l2 and l3--|3 in'Fig. 2 respectively; I

' Fig. 14 is a detail section of a portion of the bandage material;

Fig. 15 is an end elevation of a partially wound r v bandage; Fig. 16 isa detail elevation of a doctor blade;

and

Fig. 17 is an end elevation, looking in the direction of the arrow "inFig. 16.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, I have shown my Fig. 4 is an enlarged partialsectional eleva-- Figs. 9 and 10 are detail sectional elevation improvedwindingmachine as mounted'in a casingcomprising .a back 20, sides 2| and22, a top 23, a'bottom 24 and an upright partition'25 forming a supportfor many. parts. l 3

The operating mechanism'ismounted largely on the back 20 and partition25, but the driving motor M is pivotallysuspended from the top 23 by aclamping structure 21 (Fig. 2) enclosing the motor -M and pivotallymounted on a cross rod 28 supportedby brackets 29 securedto theunderside of the top 23. 1 The'r'notor, M'is provided with an armatureshaft 30 (Fig. 1) having a friction roll 32 adapted to engage and drivea wheel 33 when released for ber 31 (Fig. 1'), which member is rotatablymounted on a rod 38- fixed in the upright partition 25.

A ratchet wheel 39 (Fig. is secured to one end of the tubular member31and is engaged by'a latch 40, pivoted at 4| on the partition 25.

The latch '40 normally preventsrotation of the 2 wheel 39 and roll R 'ina clockwise or unwinding direction, as viewed in' Figs. 2'- and 7. Ahand release lever 42 (Fig. 2) is pivoted at 43 on the partition 25 andisprovided with a tension spring 44, normally holding therelease lever.in inoperative position and against a stop pin 45. The upper endof therelease lever 42 underlies the outer end of thelatch' 40, as shown inFig.7. When the lever 42 is moved manually anti-clockwise against thetension of the spring 44, the latch4ll will release the ratchet wheel 39and the roll R may be unwound toa desired extent for threading or otherpurposes.

. The latch 40 is also provided with a slot 41 (Fig. 7) to receive thereduced end 48 (Fig. 6) of alever 49-, pivotedat 5B in an opening 5| inthe partition 25. The outer end of the lever has a' deep notch 52 in itsupper edge and is yieldingly drawn upward by a tension spring 53. Thetension of the spring 53' acts to'press the latch 40 against the ratchet39.- The-devices for releasing the latch 40 during awinding operationwill be hereinafter described. Y m y p The cloth C is drawn downward by.a winding spindle 55 (Fig. 4) and passes between a glass plate 56 and ametal plate 51, the latter forming the rear part of a hopper H'supplyingthe plaster of Paris or other powdered material.

The cloth C in its downwardcourse passes behind a wiping roll 60 andbehind a guide-roll GI,

Cir

from which latter roll it is delivered to the winding spindle 55. Aguide and presser plate 62 (Fig. 4) is pivoted at 63 to the back 20 andis pressed yieldingly against the roll R of bandage on the spindle 55 bya light spring 64. The plate 62 presses lightly against the roll R as itis wound and acts to prevent detachment of the powder from the cloth.

The spindle 55 is shown as transversely slotted to receive the end ofthe bandage, and is rotatably mounted in a bearing 55 (Fig. 1) securedto the partition 25. Outside of the bearing 35, the spindle 55 isprovided with a grooved pulley 65 (Fig. 3) connected by a belt 61 to asmall driving pulley 68 secured to and rotatable with the wheel 33previously described. The wheel 33 and pulley 68 are mounted to rotatetogether on a stud In on the side of the partition 25.

A double-blade agitator 'lI (Fig. 11) is mounted to rotate in the lowerportion of the hopper H and has a spindle 12 extending through a bearingin the partition 25 and provided with a grooved driving pulley "I iengaged by the belt 61 in its downward run, as indicated in Fig. 3.

The agitator H assists downward movement of the powder and preventsclogging of the hopper, which might otherwise occur on account of theextreme fineness of the material supplied thereto. One bar of theagitator may be at a greater radial distance from the axis than theother.

The wiping roll 58 (Figs. 4 and 12) extends across the hopper H belowthe agitator TI and has an extension 16 (Fig. 12) rotatable in a bearingin the partition 25. A grooved pulley TI on the extension 76 is engagedby the belt 61 in its downward run. The wiping roll 60 is relativelyflat in cross section, as indicated in Fig. 4, and is preferably of theirregular formation shown in Fig. 12 for reasons to be explained.

I also provide an auxiliary hopper H (Figs. 2 and 4) in which the powderis initially deposited. The hopper H comprises a bottom plate 86, sideplates 8|, an end plate 82, a curved top plate 83 and brackets 84. Whenthe auxiliary hopper H is in operative position, the upper edge of thebottom plate 57* of the hopper H is received between the bottom plate 80and the brackets 84, so that the auxiliary hopper is thereby supportedfor slight angular movement.

A cross rod 86 (Fig. 1) extends through the partition 25 and ispivotally secured at 81 (Fig. i) to the under side of the hopper bottomplate 5%. The inner end of the rod 86 is bent to provide an oifsetportion 88 which extends loosely through an opening in the bottom plate5'1 and engages the lower end of the bottom plate 8b of the auxiliaryhopper H.

At its outer end, the rod (Fig. 3) is provided with an arm 89 extendingdownward into the path of cam blocks on the winding pulley Bil. Theauxiliary hopper H is thus slightly agitated twice during eachrevolution of the winding spindle, which assists regular down feed ofthe powdered material. v

The guide-roll 6| (Figs. 1 and 13) is mounted in brackets 92 on a doctorbar 93 (Figs. 4 and 16), the upper edge of which is hinged to'the loweredge of the hopper bottom plate 57 The inward position of the doctor bar93 is determined by stop screws 95 (Fig. 1) in the bar 93, and a locklever 35 is provided for holding the bar in operative position. When thebar is unlocked, the bar and roll may be swung outward to the dottedline position shown in Fig. 4 to permit convenient dumping or clearingof the hopper and the starting of a new roll of bandage.

The doctor bar $3 is provided with a beveled edge 31' (Fig. 1'?) andwith a transverse groove -3, and is also provided with two or morespaced notches 99 in the beveled edge 91, the purpose of which will behereinafter described. The guideroll GI (Fig. 13) is provided with thesame number of grooves H13, so spaced and positioned as to be associatedwith the notches 99 in the ope1 ation of the machine.

A knife is provided for conveniently severing the fabric as full rollsare wound on the spindle This knife comprises a fixed blade I05 (Fig. 4)mounted in the back 22 of the casing above a recess i536, and a movableblade IBI extending through a slot It?! (Fig. 2) in the partition 25 andpivoted at I28 to a block III (Fig. 1) on the back 2 When a bandage isfully wound, the

lade it! is swung manually in a horizontal plane and cooperates with thefixed blade I05 to cut the fabric.

A measuring roll IIZ (Fig. 8), which is commonly of wood with a fabricsurface, is pivotally mounted on a stud H3 fixed in the outer end of abent arm H4 having a pivot stud II5 extending through a boaring I I6 inthe partition 25.

A spring H8 (Fig. 2) is connected at its lower end to a pin M9 on thearm H4 and at its upper end to a screw I20 adjustable in a fixed bracket52!. The function of the spring II B is to partially counterbalance theweight of the roll H2 and to regulate the pressure of the roll a ainstthe cloth C by which it is frictionally rotated.

Speed control ,I will now describe the mechanism which I have providedfor rendering the motor operatire or inoperative and for controlling thespeed of the motor in accordance with the size of the bandage roll Rwhich is being wound on the winding spindle 55.

A bracket I24 on the motor M (Figs. 1 and 3) projects through an openingI25 in the partition 25 and is engaged by the upper end of a bar 126which is slidably secured on the partition 25 by screws extendingthrough slots I21 in the bar.

A spring I 28 (Fig. 3) normally pulls the slide bar upward against thebracket I24 and is strong enough to overcome the spring 34 (Fig. 1) andswing the motor M so that the roll 32 is spaced from the wheel 33, allas shown in Fi 1.

A projection I30 on the side of the slide bar I24 projects into thenotch 52 (Fig. 6) in the latch release lever 49. When the slide bar israised, the parts assume the position shown in Figs. 6 and '7 and thelatch isoperative, but when the slide bar is moved downward to start thewinding, the latch 49 will be moved clockwise in Fig. '7 to release theratchet wheel 39.

A link I32 (Figs. 3 and 5) has a pin and slot connection at its upper,end to. the slide bar I26 and at its lower end is pivoted to a handlever I33 (Fig. 1) extending through and pivoted in the partition 25 andconstituting the means by which the operation of the machine is manuallycontrolled.

The lower end I35 (Fig. l) of the slide bar I26 is oliset outward and isadapted to be engaged by the hook-shaped upper end of a latch I36 (Fig.5) pivoted at I31 on the partition 25 and having a laterally extendingarm I38 positioned for engagement by a stud I39 in the link I32 foreachv revolution of. the measuring roll II2,

when the link is moved upward to the position shown in Fig. 3. A springI40 acts to move the latch I36 to holding position when the latch isreleased by downward movement of the link.

When the operator desires to start the winding, he swings the handle I33upward, thus moving the link I32 and slide bar I26 downward and allowingthe roll 32 to frictionally engage the wheel 33 as shown in Fig. 5. Asthe downward movement is completed, the bar I25 will be engaged andlocked in lowered position by the latch I36.

The motor M will thereafter continuously rotate the winding spindle 55until the latch I36 is released, either by manual upward movement of thelink I32 and pin I39 (Fig. 3) or by automatic means to be described.

For controlling the speed of the motor, I provide a rheostat I (Fig. 3)having a plurality of resistance sections numbered from 1 to 10inclusive and connected in series with a wire I46 leading to oneterminal of the motor M.

Separate wires I41 (Fig. 3) also extend from each resistance section tocontact plugs I48 (Fig. 10) mounted on a plate I48 (Figs. 6 and 10) ofinsulating material, which plate is supported on a fixed metal sleeveI50 secured in the partition 25.

A star wheel I52 is mounted on the outer end of a spindle I53 extendingthrough the tube I50 and having a collar I 54 mounted on its outer end.The collar I54 has a pin I55 (Fig. 5) projecting therefrom and engaginga shoulder I56 on the latch I36 when rotated jclockwise as viewed inFigs. 3 and 5. On such engagement, the latch I36 is pushed back torelease the slide bar I26,

which thereupon moves upward, swinging the motor M and lifting the roll32 from the wheel 33.

The star wheel I52 is advanced intermittently by engagement thereof by apin I60 (Fig. 8) mounted in the side of the measuring roll H2. The pinI60 advances the star wheel I52 one tooth on each revolution of themeasuring wheel. 7

The star wheel carries a spring contact I62 (Fig. 9) which engagessuccessiveterminal plugs I48 of the rheostat I45 as the star wheel isintermittently advanced.

Electrical connections The electrical connections are shown largely inFig. 3 and comprise line wires L and L', a wire I10 connecting the lineL to one terminal of a switch Ill, and a wire I12 connecting the otherterminal of the switch to one terminal of the motor M, the other motorterminal being con-- I the wire I46 back to the motor M, thus completingthe motor circuit.

When the machine is started to wind a bandage, the contact spring I62will be on terminal plug I so that the rheostat is cut out and the motoroperates at its highest speed. At each revolution of the measuring rollII2, the star wheel is engaged by the pin I60 and is moved forwardintermittently to successive plugs I48, thus cutting in successivesections of the rheostat. The motor speed is thus reduced one stepmeasuring wheel II2, so that the operator may I be advised that windingis proceeding in the desired manner. For this purpose I provide a buzzerI (Fig. 3) connected by a wire I8I to the motor connection I12previously described,

and connected by a second wire I82 to the bearing II6 which pivotallysupports the arm II4 on which the measuring wheel I I2 is mounted.Connectionis thus madethrough the arm to the bearing sleeve I83 of thewheel II2, which sleeve is connected by a short wire I84 (Figs. 4 and 8)to the pin I60 which engages the star wheel I52.

Each time the wheel II2 revolves, the buzzer circuit is momentarilyclosed and a short audible signal is given. As the measuring wheelrevolves only by frictional contact with the downwardly travelingfabric, the occurrence of this signal indicates that the fabric istraveling through the provide a heater I underlying the auxiliary,

hopper H and connected by wires IfiI and I02 (Fig. 3) to the terminalsof the first and second resistance sections of the rheostat I45. Thusconnected, the heater I 9 0 will be "operative whenever contact is madewith any'of the terminal plugs I48 which are numbered from 2 tolO inFig. 10, but the heater will be inoperative when contact is made withthe plug I48 connected to rheostat section I. Consequently the heater isin operation during the winding of each bandage but is automatically cutout as the winding is completed.

Operation Having described the details of construction of my-improvedbandage loading and winding machine, it is believed that the method ofoperation-and advantages thereof will be'readily apparent. Brieflystated, the machine is operated as follows: s

The auxiliary hopper H is supplied with plaster of Paris or otherpowdered material which is fed down into the hopper H by the slightmechanical agitation of the auxiliary hopper from the cam blocks 90(Fig. 3), assisted if necessary by use of a manual pusher 200 (Fig. 4)

Toward the lower end of the hopper the powder is loosened up by therotating'agitator II and is carried downward by the cloth C as the clothis guided against the glass plate 66 by the wiping roll 60 which furtheragitates the powder. The doctor plate 83 presses a uniform layer ofpowder against the outer face of the fabric and the double flat portions60 of the roll 68 press excess powder into the notches 98 in the bar 93,the spacing being the same.

The notches 98 cause the excess powder to be deposited in spacedlongitudinal ridges on the face of the fabric, as indicated at 202 inFig, 14. The loaded fabric is then guided vertically downward by theroll 6!, with the grooves [fill in the roll El clearing the longitudinalridges 202.

As the bandage is thereafter wound on the spindle 55, these ridges tendto separate adjacent layers of the bandage, so that a loosely woundbandage is attained which at the same time is relatively firm and doesnot easily telescope.

My improved bandages, thus wound in spaced layers, are much moreaccessible to the action of water when desired'for use and require verymuch less time to become effectively moistened, as compared with theusual bandages more tightly rolled.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do notwish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than asset forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

l. A bandage winding machine comprising a winding device, means torotatably support a roll of fabric, said device and said means beingsubstantially in vertical alignment and substantially spaced apart,means to apply powdered material to said fabric as it is drawn downwardby said winding device, and a hopper positioned adjacent the path ofvertical movement of said fabric and between said winding device andsaid supporting means and having a substantial opening in its side wallpast which said fabric is drawn downward and at which opening saidfabric receives a thick layer of said powdered material.

2. A bandage winding machine comprising a winding device, means torotatably support a roll of fabric, said device and said means beingsubstantially in vertical alignment and substantially spaced apart, andmeans to apply powdered material to said fabric as it is drawn downwardby said winding device, said latter means including a substantiallyfrictionless upright supporting plate, and means to guide said fabricclosely adjacent said plate and in sliding contact therewith.

3. A bandage winding machine comprising a winding device, means torotatably support a roll of fabric, said device and said means beingsubstantially in vertical alignment and substantially spaced apart, asubstantially frictionless upright supporting plate, means to guide saidfabric closely adjacent said plate and in sliding contact therewith, ahopper for powdered material, and means to guide said fabric along saidsupporting plate adjacent the mouth of said hopper and to press thepowdered material against said fabric.

4. A bandage winding machine comprising a winding device, means torotatably support a roll of fabric, said device and said means beingsubstantially in vertical alignment and substantially spaced apart, andmeans to apply powdered material to said fabric as it is drawn downward,said latter means including a doctor bar having spaced notches in theoperative edge thereof, and a guide roller mounted below the edge ofsaid bar and provided with grooves spaced to correspond to the spacingof the notches in said bar.

5. A bandage winding machine comprising a winding device, means torotatably support a roll of fabric, said device and said means being insubstantially vertical alignment and substantially spaced apart, andmeans to apply powdered material to said fabric as it is drawn downward,said latter means comprising a doctor bar, a guide roller mounted belowthe edge of said bar, and a pivoted support for said bar and rollerwhich is swingable from normal position to provide clearance for dumpingsaid hopper and starting a new roll of bandage.

6. In a bandage winding machine, means to rotatably support a roll offabric, a winding spindle, means to apply powdered material to saidfabric as it is drawn downward by said winding spindle, an electricmotor to rotate said spindle, a rheostat for said motor, a wheel agingand measuring the fabric as it is drawn downward, and means to increasethe ef fective resistance of said rheostat on each revolution of saidmeasuring wheel, whereby the winding speed is reduced as the diameter ofthe bandage on said spindle is increased.

7. In a bandage winding machine, means to rotatably support a roll offabric, a winding spindle, means to apply powdered material to saidfabric as it is drawn downward by said winding spindle, an electricmotor to rotate said spindle, a rheostat for said motor, a wheelengaging and measuring the fabric as it is drawn downward, means toincrease the effective resistance of said rheostat on each revolution ofsaid measuring wheel, whereby the winding speed is reduced as thediameter of the bandage on said spindle is increased, and means to stopthe machine and simultaneously reset the rlieostat for high speed when apredetermined length of bandage has passed under the measuring wheel.

8. In a bandage winding machine, means to rotatably support a roll offabric, means to draw a piece of fabric through said machine, means toapply powdered material to said fabric as it is drawn through saidmachine, a measuring wheel engaged and rotated by direct contact withthe fabric passing through said machine, and means to stop the windingoperation after a predetermined number of revolutions of said measuringwheel.

9. In a bandage winding machine, means to rotatably support a. roll offabric, means to draw a piece of fabric through said machine, means toapply powdered material to said fabric as it is drawn through saidmachine, a measuring Wheel engaged and rotated by direct contact withthe fabric passing through said machine, means to stop the windingoperation after a predetermined number of revolutions of said measuringwheel, and means to sound an audible signal for each revolution of saidwheel.

10. In a bandage winding machine, means to draw bandage fabric throughsaid machine, means including a hopper to supply powdered material tosaid bandage, means to heat the powdered material in said hopper, andheat-control means coacting with said winding means and automaticallyeffective to render said heating means inoperative when said windingmeans is inoperative. I

11. A bandage winding machine comprising means to draw a bandage throughsaid machine, means to load said bandage with powdered material, andmeans to deposit additional material in spaced ridges on one side ofsaid bandage, whereby the layers of wound bandage will be spaced apartby said ridges.

12. In a bandage winding machine, a vertisally-disposed, glasssupporting plate, a hopper in front of said plate, means to draw a pieceof fabric downward between said plate and said hopper, and a doctor barcontrolling the amount of powder deposited on said fabric and guiding offabric downward between saidplate and said hopper, and a doctor bar tocontrol the amount of powder deposited on said fabric and to guide saidfabric in conta'ct with said plate, said bar having spaced notches inits operative edge forming spaced parallel ridges of excess powderlengthwise of said fabric. Y I

14.. In a bandage winding machine, a vertically-disposed, glasssupporting plate, a hopper in front of said'plate, means to draw apieceof fabric downward between said plate and said hopper, a doctor barcontrolling the amount of powder depositedon said fabric and guidingsaid fabric in contact with said plate, said bar having spaced notchesin itsoperative edge forming spaced parallel ridges of excess powderlengthwise of said fabric, and'a guide-roll for said fabric havinggrooves spaced to correspond to said notches and clearing said ridges.

15. A bandage winding machine comprising awinding device, means torotatably support a roll of fabric, said device and said means beingsubstantially in vertical alignment and substantially spaced apart,means to apply powdered material to said fabric as it is drawn downwardby said winding device, and a swinging curved plate yieldingly engagingthe roll of bandage as it is wound and retarding displacement of powderloaded on said fabric;

16. In a bandage winding machine,-a wiping roll comprising asubstantially fiat blade rotatably mounted and having alternate recessedand toothed edge portions. if

1'7. In a bandage winding machine, a notched doctor bar, and avwipingroll comprising a sub stantially flat blade rotatably mounted and havingdouble flat portions spaced to correspond to the notches in said doctorbar. x

FRANK I-I. WASHBURN, JR.

